‘Wokeness is a disease’: Lancaster Uni Reform UK Society speaks out about campus reactions

Lancaster Uni’s Reform UK Society has recently spoken out about the student body reaction to the its on-campus emergence.

The society, who is not yet officiated with the Lancaster University Students’ Union, was featured alongside with spontaneous interviews of the wider student population.

The video, made by PoliticsJoe, discussed the appeal of Reform UK to young men, the split between the political left and right in modern day politics, and the campus reaction to the society.

The interview started with a sit-down conversation with Reform UK Society President Jack Eccles, asking him, and a few other members, what drew them to the new and emerging party.

The appeal of Reform UK

Jack said that he had been a follower of Reform Leader Nigel Farage since his days as a member of the European Parliament. He talked about his past with the Conservative Party, referencing his unsuccessful bid as one of the Conservative candidates for Wyre Borough Council seat, Borough. Yet, when talking off the Conservatives, Jack further added: “I was never really 100 per cent in with them but with Reform I am a lot more dedicated to the cause”.

When talking about what attracted him to the Reform Party, Jack referenced Farage’s “charismatic pull to people” as well as Reform’s promise to tighten the point-based immigration system implemented in 2021, under which a potential immigrant’s eligibility is decided by assigning points based on factors such as skills, qualification, and job offers.

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Another Reform UK society member said that they found the left unappealing as is not about equality between genders but rather about “putting men down and putting women all the way on top”. This was corroborated by fellow members who said that Reform is appealing directly to young men by actively including their voice in political discussions, something they feel the Labour and Conservative parties have failed to do in recent years.

Furthermore, the general sentiment of the members was a dissatisfaction at the current state of the United Kingdom. One member, Charles Platt said that “as a young person…I wouldn’t want to grow up in this country”, listing “migrants, grooming gangs, and NHS flooding” as the reasons why.

Campus reaction to the society

Regarding the campus reaction to the emergence of the Lancaster Reform UK Society, Jack said that many people came out against it, and alleged that posters had been put up around campus labelling the connected party as “racist”.

Jack further agreed that he had felt “pre-judged” by fellow students, but assured that his society knew they are “in the right”. Jack further added: “We would never stoop down to a level where we have to use hateful rhetoric against other people”.

The video also consulted multiple students outside the society in campus interviews. Most stated their discomfort of the presence of the society, but recognised their right to exist under freedom of speech and difference of opinion.

One student talked about their opposition to the party and society, admitting that they pulled down Reform UK posters during the recent County Council election, which resulted in a sweeping victory for the Reform UK party in Lancashire.

Furthermore, two individuals said they felt that the society shouldn’t be banned, but that other students had every right to come out in opposition and to “socially isolate” Reform members.

The state of current politics

Throughout the interview, the Reform members talked about their dislike for the contemporary ideological spectrum.

A Reform member said that at a northern university like Lancaster, there is often no differentiation between the person and the political views. Furthermore, Jack said in regards social settings, people struggle to “separate politics and friendships”.

This was supported by Charles, who argued whilst the UK is built on differences in opinion, he finds it very difficult to get his views across without “being torn down” in modern day political settings.

When asked about a potential future affiliation of the Reform society, Lancaster University told The Lancaster Tab: “The Students’ Union, as a separate legal entity to the University, has its own decision-making process. Lancaster University is committed to upholding the right to freedom of speech within the law for our staff and students. Universities are places for people to express their views and listen to those of others – including those they do not agree with.”

LUSU was contacted for comment but has not yet responded.

Feature images via PoliticsJOE on YouTube and ReformParty.UK